August 14, 2011

A concert stage collapsed last night at the Indiana State Fair, killing four and injuring 40. After a performance by singer Sara Bareilles, winds “between 60 and 70 mph” knocked over rigging and collapsed the structure to the ground. Attendees reported that “Spectators grabbed parts of their seats to assemble makeshift stretchers” and others tried to lift the fallen scaffolding. The fair is closed today. [CNN]

Michele Bachmann won the Iowa Straw Poll, earning 4,823 votes. Ron Paul came in second with 4,671 and Tim Pawlenty followed in third. Politico reports that Pawlenty is withdrawing from the race, but that story is just developing. We’ll report more info when it comes in. [Politico]

20 people were killed in an apparent suicide attack in the central province of Parwan, Afghanistan. Six suicide bombers targeted the governor’s office and detonated their explosive vests before reaching their target after being stopped by security. [NYT]